Clinton and Edwards will miss a debate, if necessary, to honor the Hollywood writers strike.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Three of the contenders for the Democratic presidential nomination said Wednesday that they would not participate in a Democratic National Committee sanctioned debate next month if workers for CBS go on strike.

CBS is the broadcast partner for this final DNC debate, and the network’s news writers are threatening to walk out unless an agreement on a contract can be reached. Sen. Hillary Clinton, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, and former Sen. John Edwards said they will not cross the picket line.

“The workers at CBS News have been without a contract for close to two and a half years,” Clinton said in a statement. “It is my hope that both sides will reach an agreement that results in a secure contract for the workers at CBS News but let me be clear: ‘I will honor the picket line if the workers at CBS News decide to strike.’”

Edwards expressed a similar sentiment on the eve of Thanksgiving saying he will “honor any picket lines at CBS News, up to and including the CBS presidential debate.”

He also announced that he and his wife, Elizabeth, will cancel a scheduled appearance the ABC daytime talk show, “The View” as a direct result of the current strike by the Writer’s Guild of Amerca.

The debate is scheduled to be held December 10 in Los Angeles, California. CBS news writers authorized their union leaders Thursday to commence a national strike if a contract could not be negotiated.

soundoff(31 Responses)

afraid the unions wont like you doing your job. i guess you dont care about the millions of others who arent in the unions, and would like to here them speak. another reason i wont vote for these people. the special interest pandering will never stop.

Perhaps it's because the debates are false and scripted by the writers. With having the prospect of answering questions from the hip, they don't want to look bad as they are clearly CFR members and in it together. Why aren't the other candidates doing this? Probably because they aren't CFR members.

Thank God! We won't have to listen to Hilary...actually the truth is, she won't go to the debates because if the writers strike, who will write her answers for her? Not to mention, who's gonna write the questions that the "undecided" voters will ask?

Well, I'm certainly glad to hear these two have their priorities right. After all, how could something as trivial as helping us choose whom to elect to the most powerful position on the planet compare to not offending a few CBS employees that are whining about insufficient vacation time. What a couple of tools.

It is amazing the timing with this kind of stuff and what is making headline on Cnn. Hillary's chief political advicer is a saudi Arabian decent. mmmmh, I wonder if our media is the best to elect us the president.. Just curious if we should be so much influenced in what we are supposed to think at a particular given time or event.....

What a poor decision by these candidates. While I understand supporting laborers, the underlying issue here is the ability of the candidates to operate under tough conditions. If one of these candidates is elected president, will they cow to the media workers and cancel a public address.

Get a backbone, it's mandatory for the position you are trying to achieve.

So basically we have two brilliant Democrats who care more about the Union members then about giving the American view a further chance to weigh their options for the next President? That is outstanding Democratic logic at it's finest. And the Democrats think that they are a better solution to the problem..

These two are unbelievable. It has become more than obvious that the debates are staged anyway. So the country is only hearing their talking points, and the questioners are nothing but plants. The question of electing the next President of the U.S. should no doubt take precedence over any of these strikes, no matter which side of the strike you're on. Of course, one less debate means one less time the country will be subjected to their drivel... For that, I am thankful on the eve of Thanksgiving!

I am glad to know that these senators will stop at nothing in their service to the people of the United States of America, even if it means becoming the next president. I think we see where their loyalties are.

The wisdom in evaluating Clinton and Edwards is this...would they cross the union line if it was the right thing to do, taking away the timing? Nope, just another political stunt/pandering to the special interests that are "hot" at the time.

I'm an independent/libertarian/republican...and this makes me want to vote for Obama.

Maybe there is something to the political works of Clinton and Edwards...they never seem to take a hard-stand, something required for the position and true-leadership.

there isnt anything the debates we dont know already...so i think there useless,let them use there money and work hard out on the trail,thats what there getting all these donations for...we dont need the media,to pick which one lost or won...thats what they want so they can pick our vote for us.and No Michelle O. will not go on the view she cancelled.

Now, isn't that cute. They won't cross a stupid picket line; however, they will jump on a stage and revile any speaker they do not agree with won't they. How dare they take pride in such stupidity and not even say a word to defend their idiot Democrat parties behavior before Mr. Gonzales. I have not even heard one word of apology from these "so proper they won't cross a picket line" Democrats. How DARE they!!!

Most people have complained that there are too many debates already, so it is hard to understand most of the comments here. If you want to know what the candidates views are, go to their campaign web sites and read the "issues" section, read the text of their speeches on different policy issues and ask questions on the campaign web site blogs.

It certainly would make understanding the debates easier for you. Hopefully, there will be no strike and the debate will not be canceled. CBS News will either go out of business, or decide it has enough money to pay its employees the compensation required to keep them.

I was wondering where all the hate radio d students went. I should have known. Type the word Hillary and they flock like flies to carrion.
I hope you enjoy your PAID thankgiving holiday as well as the rest of your PAID holidays and benefits and perks. Guess what? They weren't provided by generous corperate tycoons. They where given to you by Unions. I am nonunion but i do have enough sense to see the contributions they have made to a better life for working americans. I stood before my boss 5 years ago and looked him in the eye and said I would NOT cross a picket line and steal the bread from another man's table. He looked me straight in the eye and told me he respected a man of convictions. He has never asked again.